The radical motherhood

the long version

The study analyses the participation of the northern Namibian Ovambo women in the Namibian independence struggle. It aims to present why and how women in the northern areas participated in the struggle which led to the independent Namibia. Women were essential supporters of the liberation struggle in spite of their multiple burden as single mothers and main food producers in agriculture while the men had left the area as migrant labour, for the army or SWAPO. The study also examines the changes in women's lives caused by the arrival of Christianity, colonialism, the cash economy and modern values. Using the life story method it allows women to tell their stories themselves and present their own understanding of their situation. The study also tries to outline women's position in the independent Namibia where gender equality is guaranteed by the constitution but not in practice.